Accompanied by SURE-P coordinators, Agwai, who made the revelation in Lagos, noted that he was in the state with his team, to assess some of the projects under the supervision of the programme, just as he noted that the intervention on the Lagos-Ibadan road project alone has so far gulped over a billion naira.
While explaining that the road construction is a six-lane project, Agwai noted that there will be fly-overs, pedestrian walkways, as well as other amenities that will make it convenient for road users to ply the route when completed.
“If you are going from Lagos to Ibadan and there is need for you to make a U-turn before the Shagamu interchange, you won’t have to get to Shagamu before you turn back.
“There will be proper channelisation of routes and other facilities that will ensure accident-free driving. We don’t want you to drive on the road and make an illegal turning, just because you think Shagamu is far and you want to take a short cut.
“There will be places to turn back and they won’t be what you have now. Access routes would be properly constructed for road-users to move freely and they will be very effective,” he said.
Agwai, who also revealed that N20 billion has been voted for his organisation in the current budget, made it clear that it is not within the powers of the organisation to award contracts or identify projects to be embarked upon.
The retired general affirmed that SURE-P only acknowledges work done and facilitate the payment through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to Agwai, “we don’t award contracts. That is the job of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Directives are given after projects are identified. Ours is to work with our consultants and ensure that the job is done and done to our satisfaction.
“After that, payments are made. And that is after our team and our consultants are satisfied with the work done. Then, we authorise CBN to pay directly to contractors. The money to be paid is domiciled with CBN and they pay within 14 days. I have never signed any cheque here, we don’t deal with money.”
Other members of the team, including the former TUC President, Comrade Peter Esele and NUJ President, Mallam Garba Muhammed, among others, explained that SURE-P has also intervened in several other areas, such as, the railway line, recruitment exercises and upgrade of health facilities across the country.
In the words of Esele, over 5,000 graduate-trainees are currently undergoing training across the country, to fill the skill gap, while no fewer than 400 are presently being trained in Lagos.
On the face-off between the Lagos State Government-owned Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and SURE-P recruits over the control of Lagos roads, Agwai explained that SURE-P does not directly recruit but confirms that some agencies and parastatals of government are allowed to recruit, using SURE-P fund.
He, however, promised to look into the case by paying a visit to the areas of conflict and liaise with the state government.
Source: Daily Newswatch
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